The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) to enhance cooperation on transparency, integrity, and fraud prevention in EU-funded reconstruction projects, the Bank announced Monday.
Signed in Luxembourg by EIB Inspector General Monique Koning and SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko, the MoU sets a framework for closer coordination in detecting and addressing corruption, fraud, and other prohibited conduct across EIB-funded initiatives in Ukraine.
The move comes as the EIB ramps up its financial support for Ukraine in the wake of Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion. Since then, the EU’s lending arm has committed €4 billion to projects aimed at rebuilding critical infrastructure, restoring essential services, and supporting economic resilience.
"Upholding transparency and integrity is at the heart of the EIB's mission globally," said Teresa Czerwińska, EIB Vice-President.
"By strengthening cooperation with Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions, we reinforce these same principles on the ground, ensuring that EU investments deliver lasting benefits and support a fair recovery," She added.
The partnership will facilitate early-warning mechanisms, more effective information sharing, and joint oversight of EIB-backed projects—ranging from the reconstruction of schools and hospitals to upgrades of roads, railways, and energy systems.
The agreement expands the EIB's collaboration with key Ukrainian oversight bodies, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the Prosecutor General's Office, the Economic Security Bureau, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the State Audit Service of Ukraine.
The effort is part of a broader strategy to reinforce governance standards and ensure that billions in EU funds are channeled effectively into Ukraine's post-war recovery.
The EIB encourages individuals to report any suspected irregularities or misconduct related to EU-funded projects in Ukraine through its confidential reporting platform.
By Duygu Alhan
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
